The section 2 Class AA champion Bethlehem after defeating Troy at Hudson Valley Community College in Troy, NY on Monday, March 9, 2026. Stephen Weaver/For the Times Union
Stephen Weaver
Bethlehem head coach Trish Piccini with championship plaque after defeating Troy in the section 2 Class AA championship game at Hudson Valley Community College in Troy, NY on Monday, March 9, 2026. Stephen Weaver/For the Times Union
Stephen Weaver
Bethlehem smiles after defeating Troy in the section 2 Class AA championship game at Hudson Valley Community College in Troy, NY on Monday, March 9, 2026. Stephen Weaver/For the Times Union
Stephen Weaver
Bethlehem supporters celebrating after defeating Troy in the section 2 Class AA championship game at Hudson Valley Community College in Troy, NY on Monday, March 9, 2026. Stephen Weaver/For the Times Union
Stephen Weaver
Bethlehem head coach Trish Piccini celebrates after defeating Troy in the Section 2 Class AA championship game at Hudson Valley Community College in Troy, NY on Monday, March 9, 2026. Stephen Weaver/For the Times Union
Stephen Weaver
Lily Greisbach of Bethlehem takes a shot in front of Mia Magnetto of Troy during the section 2 Class AA championship game at Hudson Valley Community College in Troy, NY on Monday, March 9, 2026. Stephen Weaver/For the Times Union
Stephen Weaver
Kiana Tiernan of Troy and Ella McCarthy of Bethlehem fight for ball during the section 2 Class AA championship game at Hudson Valley Community College in Troy, NY on Monday, March 9, 2026. Stephen Weaver/For the Times Union
Stephen Weaver
Addie Harkin of Troy takes a shot against Bethlehem during the section 2 Class AA championship game at Hudson Valley Community College in Troy, NY on Monday, March 9, 2026. Stephen Weaver/For the Times Union
Stephen Weaver
Amaya Harris of Troy looks for a teammate while being covered by Elizabeth Kearney of Bethlehem during the section 2 Class AA championship game at Hudson Valley Community College in Troy, NY on Monday, March 9, 2026. Stephen Weaver/For the Times Union
Stephen Weaver
TROY — For most of the Bethlehem girls’ basketball season, postseason success looked unlikely for an Eagles team with a losing record in the Suburban Council.
But the young team found its identity in the Section 2 Class AA playoffs and delivered at the season’s most critical point, securing a championship.
Article continues below this ad
The Eagles trailed second-seeded Troy by eight points Monday evening with three minutes remaining, but battled back to forge a tie and then secured the Section 2 Class AA title as junior guard Ella McCarthy hit a baseline jumper with one-tenth of a second left to provide fourth-seeded Bethlehem a thrilling 58-56 victory over the Flying Horses at Hudson Valley Community College.
“That game was a battle,” said McCarthy, who scored six points and added three assists. “They are much bigger than us. This has been a crazy season.”
Bethlehem (11-11) twice lost to top-seeded Columbia during the regular season, but then beat the Blue Devils 57-46 in the semifinals Saturday. Monday, the Eagles knocked off a Troy squad that they had lost to 59-50 on Jan. 21.
Make the Times Union a Preferred Source on Google to see more of our journalism when you search.
Add Preferred Source
Makaya McCann, named the tournament’s most valuable player after scoring 14 points and grabbing six rebounds Monday, tied the game at 56 with a basket in the paint. Troy (20-3) called time with 23.6 seconds left. Following the break, Bethlehem ended up double-teaming freshman guard Amaya Harris. She passed the ball to senior guard Mia Magnetto, who missed on a 3-pointer. Teammate Gabby Hansen grabbed the rebound, but she missed on a follow-up attempt. Bethlehem called time with 7.4 seconds remaining.
Article continues below this ad
Amaya Harris of Troy takes a shot against Bethlehem during the section 2 Class AA championship game at Hudson Valley Community College in Troy, NY on Monday, March 9, 2026. Stephen Weaver/For the Times Union
Stephen Weaver
The play Bethlehem intended to run didn’t materialize. McCarthy eventually got the ball in front of her bench and started moving toward the baseline. She then put on the brakes, gathered herself and hoisted the game-winning shot.
“It was kind of muscle memory,” McCarthy said. “I knew if I went backwards, (my defender) might try to foul me. She didn’t go with me, so I (just shot it).”
“We knew we didn’t have to score because it was tied,” Bethlehem coach Trish Piccini said. “If you have an open shot, you take it. That is what she did. It was not the original play, but it just shows you that every girl on the team stepped up.”
Article continues below this ad
It was a painful conclusion for Troy, which stormed back to gain the lead in the second half after an inauspicious start. The Colonial Council champions fell in an early 10-0 hole and trailed 17-11 after the first quarter.
Bethlehem led 31-26 at halftime, but Troy mounted a strong push during the third, fueled by Harris, who finished with a game-high 26 points to go along with seven rebounds and three assists. The freshman, a three-year starter, drained a 3-pointer to provide Troy its first lead at 39-36.
Troy, which was seeking the program’s first sectional title since capturing the 2013 Class A state title, maintained the advantage the rest of the way until McCarthy’s dramatic jumper.
Kashiya Armstrong of Troy reaches for a loose ball against Bethlehem during the section 2 Class AA championship game at Hudson Valley Community College in Troy, NY on Monday, March 9, 2026. Stephen Weaver/For the Times Union
Stephen Weaver
The Flying Horses led 55-47 following a jumper from junior Addie Harkin (12 points). Troy’s final five possessions, however, resulted in 1-for-6 shooting from the foul line, including five straight misses, one turnover, and two missed shots.
Article continues below this ad
After shooting 63.2% (12-for-19) in the first half, the Eagles shot just 8-for-25 after intermission. Bethlehem survived with some gritty defense down the stretch.
“I have no words, except to say I am incredibly proud of them,” Piccini said.
The victory provided Bethlehem with its first sectional title since winning the Class AA championship in 2015. Up next for the Eagles is a Class AA state quarterfinal contest Friday at HVCC against Section 3 champion Oswego (14-8). The third-seeded Buccaneers upset No. 1 seed Nottingham 42-37 in the sectional final.